Psychophysiological Touch Screen Stress Analyzer

ABSTRACT

The Psychophysiological Touch Screen Stress Analyzer is capable of capturing information on how a person emotionally reacts to a series of verbal, visual, or written stimulus when the person touches the touch screen computer monitor in response to the stimulus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Current truth verification methods based on the voice stress analysis which measures emotional stress in speech by detecting the presence of vibratto or rapid modulation of the phonation constituent within the speech signal envelope. Polygraph techniques rely upon the measurement of several physiological characteristics to discriminate whether a truth or a lie is expressed. These measurements include skin resistivity, blood pressure, heart rate and respiration rate. The voice stress analyzer and polygraph measure the emotional reaction of a person to a stimulus.

The Neural Basis of an Emotional Reaction

Theoretical Traditions in Emotion Research:

Theories about emotions stretch back at least as far as the Ancient Greek Stoics, as well as Plato and Aristotle. We also see sophisticated theories in the works of philosophers such as René Descartes, Baruch Spinoza and David Hume. More recent theories of emotions tend to be informed by advances in empirical research. Often theories are not mutually exclusive and many researchers incorporate multiple perspectives in their work.

Somatic Theories of Emotion:

Somatic theories of emotion claim that bodily responses rather than judgments are essential to emotions. The first modern version of such theories comes from William James in the 1880s. The theory lost favor in the 20th Century, but has regained popularity more recently thanks largely to theorists such as Antonio Damasio, Joseph LeDoux and Robert Zajonc who are able to appeal to neurological evidence.

The James-Lange Theory:

William James in the article ‘What is an Emotion?’ (Mind, 9, 1884: 188-205) argued that emotional experience is largely due to the experience of bodily changes. These changes might be visceral, postural, or facially expressive. Danish psychologist Carl Lange also proposed a similar theory at around the same time and thus the resulting position is known as the James-Lange theory. This theory and its derivates state that a changed situation leads to a changed bodily state. As James says ‘the perception of bodily changes as they occur IS the emotion.’ James further claims that ‘we feel sorry because we cry, angry because we strike, afraid because we tremble, and not that we cry, strike, or tremble, because we are sorry, angry, or fearful, as the case may be.’

This theory is supported by experiments in which by manipulating the bodily state, a desired emotion is induced. Such experiments also have therapeutic implications (e.g. in laughter therapy, dance therapy).

The James-Lange theory is often misunderstood because it seems counter-intuitive. Most people believe that emotions give rise to emotion-specific actions: i.e. “I'm crying because I'm sad,” or “I ran away because I was scared.” The James-Lange theory, conversely, asserts that first we react to a situation (running away and crying happen before the emotion), and then we interpret our actions into an emotional response. In this way, emotions serve to explain and organize our own actions to us.

Cognitive Theories of Emotion:

There are a number of theories of emotions that argue that cognitive activity in the form of judgments, evaluations, or thoughts are necessary in order for an emotion to occur. This, it is argued[who?], is necessary to capture the fact that emotions are about something or have intentionality. Such cognitive activity may be conscious or unconscious and may or may not take the form of conceptual processing. An influential theory here is that of Richard Lazarus (1991). A prominent philosophical exponent is Robert Solomon (e.g. The Passions, Emotions and the Meaning of Life, 1993). The theory proposed by Nico Frijda where appraisal leads to action tendencies is another example.

The Perceptual Theory:

A recent hybrid of the somatic and cognitive theories of emotion is the perceptual theory. This theory is neo-Jamesian in arguing that bodily responses are central to emotions, yet it emphasizes the meaningfulness of emotions or the idea that emotions are about something, as is recognized by cognitive theories. The novel claim of this theory is that conceptually based cognition is unnecessary for such meaning. Rather the bodily changes themselves perceive the meaningful content of the emotion as a result of being causally triggered by certain situations. In this respect emotions are held to be analogous to faculties such as vision or touch, which provide information about the relation between the subject and the world in various ways. A sophisticated defense of this view is found in philosopher Jesse Prinz's book Gut Reactions (2004) and psychologist James Laird's book Feelings: The Perception of Self (2007). Related views are also found in the work of Peter Goldie and Ronald de Sousa.

The Cannon-Bard Theory:

Main Article: Cannon-Bard Theory

Walter Cannon argued against the dominance of the James-Lange theory regarding the physiological aspects of emotions in the second edition of Bodily Changes in Pain, Hunger, Fear and Rage. Where James argued that emotional behavior often precedes or defines the emotion, Cannon and Bard argued that the emotion arises first and then stimulates typical behavior.

The Two Factor Theory:

Another cognitive theory is the Singer-Schachter theory. This is based on experiments purportedly showing that subjects can have different emotional reactions despite being placed into the same physiological state with an injection of adrenaline. Subjects were observed to express either anger or amusement depending on whether another person in the situation displayed that emotion. Hence the combination of the appraisal of the situation (cognitive) and whether participants received adrenaline or a placebo together determined the response. This experiment has been criticized in Jesse Prinz (2004) Gut Reactions.

The Component Process Model:

A recent version of the cognitive theory comes from Klaus Scherer which regards emotions more broadly as the synchronization of many different bodily and cognitive components. Emotions are identified with the overall process whereby low level cognitive appraisals, in particular the processing of relevance, trigger bodily reactions, behaviors, feelings, and actions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention uses the muscle tremor reaction of a person's touch when responding to written, verbal or visual stimulus. The invention captures the time and pressure of a person's touch on a touch screen computer when responding to the stimulus. The invention converts the person's touch on the touch screen to a digital signal. The use of irrelevant questions (i.e. Is today Sunday? Do you live in the United States? Were you born in the United States? Are you a citizen of the United States?) are asked to establish a baseline response pattern. A baseline bandwidth is created from the baseline response pattern. The person is then asked relevant questions (i.e. in regards to weapons, smuggling, and terrorism). If the person reaction patterns to the relevant questions are within the baseline bandwidth then it can be assumed that the person made full disclosure concerning the relevant issue(s). However, if the person reaction patterns to the relevant questions are outside the baseline bandwidth then it can be assumed that the person did not made full disclosure concerning the relevant issues(s).

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

This invention is designed to detect and measure emotional reactions from a person's touch in response to written, spoken or visual stimulus.

In addition to the detecting emotional reactions to the initial stimuli, a second set of more through stimuli can be presented to the person. This second set of stimuli is more focused than first set of stimuli and targets specific control and relevant issues.

The object of this invention is to supply concerned individuals reliable information as to whether or not a person represents a potential threat to welfare of others (i.e. the war on terrorism).

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A study was conducted to determine whether or not the Psychophysiological Touch Screen Stress Analyzer was capable of capturing a psychophysiological response to a stimulus.

In this study, a truth verification survey was administered by the Psychophysiological Touch Screen Stress Analyzer to a number individual subjects. This survey was adapted for the Psychophysiological Touch Screen Stress Analyzer from a psychological preconditioning questionnaire that was developed for voice stress analysts and polygraph examiners in the early 1980's.

The subject read the adapted questionnaire on the computer touch screen of the Psychophysiological Touch Screen Stress Analyzer. The subject answered each of the questions by touching the touch screen “yes” or “no” button at the bottom of the touch screen (the ‘yes’ button was blue and ‘no’ button green). After each touch screen answer button was touched by the subject, the next question was automatically displayed. Only the last 26 questions of the touch screen survey were analyzed to determine emotional reaction patterns (the same procedure followed in voice stress analysis and polygraph).

The following text was used on the computer touch screen of the Psychophysiological Touch Screen Stress Analyzer:

Introduction Screen:

This preliminary survey is to be completed prior to a formalized investigative interview. This process has been scientifically designed in such a manner as to identify those involved in committing acts of smuggling and/or terrorism. If the computer detects that you answers are false this will result in a more in-depth and extensive investigative interview.

TOUCH the green YES button to continue

Screen 1:

In this standardized computer generated survey, it is very important for you to read over each issue so that you will understand the meaning of each question pertaining to that issue.

There are approximately 69 survey questions.

If ‘YES’ is the right answer for you, PRESS the ‘YES’ button.

If ‘NO’ is the right answer for you, PRESS the ‘NO’ button.

Use your same finger to answer every question.

Answer every question truthfully.

PRESS the green YES button to continue.

Screen 2:

SMUGGLING is the illegal transport across state or national boundaries of merchandise or persons liable to customs or to prohibition. Smuggling is to import or export or convey something secretly, in violation of the law, especially without payment of legal duty. This includes but is not necessary limited to: Luxury articles, monies and money laundering, counterfeiting, stolen art, electronic devices and software, illegal drugs and narcotics, weapons of destruction and any other specifically prohibited items.

This issue concerns if you have a suspicion as to who could be involved in acts of SMUGGLING. What is meant by suspicion is that you have an idea in your mind, but do not know for sure, who could be involved in acts of SMUGGLING.

Do you suspect anyone, you personally know, of being involved in acts of SMUGGLING?

Screen 3:

This question concerns if you actually know for sure who is involved in acts of SMUGGLING.

Do you know for sure, someone that you personally know, who is involved in acts of SMUGGLING?

Screen 4:

These next questions are directed only to you and concern if you are personally involved, in any manner, in committing acts SMUGGLING.

Are you personally involved in any manner in committing acts of SMUGGLING?

Screen 5:

Are you holding back any information about committing acts of SMUGGLING?

Screen 6:

Are you intentionally omitting or falsifying any information, or intentionally lying to any question about committing acts of SMUGGLING?

Screen 7:

Did you answer every question about SMUGGLING truthfully?

Screen 8:

TERRORISM is a deliberate attack by an individual or a group against a country, its institutions or its people—with the aim of intimidating them and damaging or destroying their political, economic or social structures.

TERRORISM includes but is not necessary limited to: Serious violence against people or danger to life, a serious risk to public health or safety, or serious damage to property. The list includes murder, kidnapping, seizing public transport, exploding bombs, releasing contaminating substances and interfering with computer networks.

This issue concerns if you have a suspicion as to who could be involved in acts of TERRORISM. What is meant by suspicion is that you have an idea in your mind, but do not know for sure, who could be involved in acts of TERRORISM.

Do you suspect anyone, you personally know, of being involved in committing acts of TERRORISM?

Screen 9:

This question concerns if you actually know for sure who is involved in committing acts of TERRORISM.

Do you know for sure, someone that you personally know, who is involved in committing acts of TERRORISM?

Screen 10:

These next questions are directed only to you and concern if you are personally involved, in any manner, in committing acts TERRORISM.

Are you personally involved in any manner in committing acts of TERRORISM?

Screen 11:

Are you holding back any information about committing acts of TERRORISM?

Screen 12:

Are you intentionally omitting or falsifying any information, or intentionally lying to any question about committing acts of TERRORISM?

Screen 13:

Did you answer every question about TERRORISM truthfully?

Screen 14:

Nearly everyone will have done or committed some act that could be considered illegal. This could be something very minor or something not so minor.

This interview process is only concerned with acts of SMUGGLING and TERRORISM. However, if you have been involved in past acts of SMUGGLING or TERRORISM, and you are very concerned about the possibility of it being discovered during this interview process, then this concern should be further discussed to prevent any significant emotional reaction patterns when answering any question pertaining to acts of SMUGGLING and TERRORISM under investigation. Therefore, it is very important that you truthfully answer the following question:

Is there some past act of SMUGGLING or TERRORISM in which you were involved that you are very concerned about being discovered during this interview process?Screen 15:

In order to establish your present behavioral patterns (good to bad) we must attempt to establish your prior history of behavior. The purpose of the following questions is to establish this pattern; truthfulness is very important:

Before the age of 14, did you destroy something?

Screen 16:

Before the age of 14, did you intentionally destroy something?

Screen 17:

Before the age of 14, did you intentionally destroy something of great value that did not belong to you?

Screen 18:

Are you INTENTIONALLY lying to any question about destroying things before you were 14?

Screen 19:

Did you answer every question about destroying things before you were 14 truthfully?

Screen 20:

Before the age of 14, did you intentionally hurt someone?

Screen 21:

Before the age of 14, did you seriously hurt someone?

Screen 22:

Before the age of 14, did you seriously hurt someone who loved and trusted you?

Screen 23:

Are you INTENTIONALLY lying to any question about hurting someone before you were 14?

Screen 24:

Did you answer every question about hurting someone before you were 14 truthfully?

Screen 25:

Before the age of 17, did you destroy something?

Screen 26:

Before the age of 17, did you intentionally destroy something?

Screen 27:

Before the age of 17, did you intentionally destroy something of great value that did not belong to you?

Screen 28:

Are you INTENTIONALLY lying to any question about destroying things before you were 17?

Screen 29:

Did you answer every question about destroying things before you were 17 truthfully?

Screen 30:

Before the age of 17, did you intentionally hurt someone?

Screen 31:

Before the age of 17, did you seriously hurt someone?

Screen 32:

Before the age of 17, did you seriously hurt someone who loved and trusted you?

Screen 33:

Are you INTENTIONALLY lying to any question about hurting someone before you were 17?

Screen 34:

Did you answer every question about hurting someone before you were 17 truthfully?

Screen 35:

Are you INTENTIONALLY lying to any question about your behavior before you were 14?

Screen 36:

Did you answer every question about your behavior before you were 14 truthfully?

Screen 37:

Are you INTENTIONALLY lying to any question about your behavior before you were 17?

Screen 38:

Did you answer every question about your behavior before you were 17 truthfully?

Screen 39:

You will be asked the following questions in the examination to determine your present level of general nervous tension.

Are you a resident of this country?

Screen 40:

Do you live in this country?

Screen 41:

Regarding the day of the week, is today Sunday?

Screen 42:

After this next question you will be asked 26 questions that are scientifically designed through computer analysis to verify your answers on the survey you have just completed. There are no surprise or trick questions. You will only be asked questions referring to this survey.

Do you believe you will be asked a question in the following 26 questions about committing acts of SMUGGLING or TERRORISM that has not been discussed with you?

Screen 43:

The following questions refer to survey questions you have just answered. It is important that you answer every question truthfully and not lie to any question from this point forward. After you read the question you have only 5 seconds to answer each question.

1a. Are you a resident of this country?

Screen 44:

1b. Do you live in this country?

Screen 45:

2a. Were you born in this country?

Screen 46:

2b. Are you a citizen of this country?

Screen 47:

3a. Regarding the day of the week, is it Sunday?

Screen 48:

3b. Is today Sunday?

Screen 49:

4a. Do you believe you will be asked a question about acts of SMUGGLING or TERRORISM that has not been discussed with you?

Screen 50:

4b. Are you concerned you will be asked a question about acts of TERRORISM and SMUGGLING that has not been discussed with you?

Screen 51:

5a. Regarding acts of SMUGGLING and TERRORISM, do you intend to lie to any question in this examination about SMUGGLING or TERRORISM activities?

Screen 52:

5b. Are you intending to lie about committing acts of SMUGGLING or TERRORISM?

Screen 53:

6a. Regarding your destroying something before the age of 17, are you intentionally omitting or falsifying information about destroying something before you were 17?

Screen 54:

6b. Are you lying to any question about destroying things before you were 17?

Screen 55:

7a. Regarding acts of SMUGGLING, are you personally involved, in any manner, in committing acts of SMUGGLING?

Screen 56:

7b. Are you lying about committing acts of SMUGGLING?

Screen 57:

8a. Regarding your hurting someone before the age of 17, are you intentionally omitting or falsifying information about hurting someone before you were 17?

Screen 58:

8b. Are you lying to any question about hurting someone before you were 17?

Screen 59:

9a. Regarding TERRORISM, are you personally involved, in an any manner, in committing acts of TERRORISM?

Screen 60:

9b. Are you lying about committing acts of TERRORISM?

Screen 61:

10a. Did you intentionally lie to any question in this examination about hurting someone or destroying things before you were 17?

Screen 62:

10b. Are you lie to any question about hurting someone or destroying things before you were 17?

Screen 63:

11a. Regarding acts of SMUGGLING and TERRORISM, did you intentionally lie to any question in this examination about SMUGGLING or TERRORISM activities?

Screen 64:

11b. Are you lying to any question about SMUGGLING or TERRORISM activities?

Screen 65:

12a. Is there something about SMUGGLING or TERRORISM activities that has not been discussed with you that you are very concerned about being discovered?

Screen 66:

12b. Are you concerned something else about acts of SMUGGLING or TERRORISM will be discovered?

Screen 67:

13a. Regarding the day of the week, is it Sunday?

Screen 68:

13b. Is today Sunday?

Screen 69:

Have you ever taken this survey before?

Screen 70:

That concludes this survey. Thank you.

Immediately after the Psychophysiological Touch Screen Stress Analyzer (PTSSA) survey was completed and analyzed to determine emotional reaction patterns (Table 1), a Psychophysiological Voice Stress Analyzer (PVSA) examination was administered to each subject. The 26 questions asked were the same as questions on screens 43 to 68 administered by the Psychophysiological Touch Screen Stress Analyzer. The Psychophysiological Voice Stress Analyzer examination was prerecorded and played back through headphones place over the subject's ears. The subject's “yes” and “no” responses to each question were digitally recorded by means of boom microphone attached to the headphones. The microphone was place in a position just to right of the subject's mouth, approximately 1 inch. After the Psychophysiological Voice Stress Analyzer examination was administered, each “yes” and “no” response was analyzed to determine emotional reaction patterns.

If the person's reaction patterns to the control questions average (Table 1 and 2, 16D) is greater than the reaction patterns to the relevant questions average (Table 1 and 2, 17D), then it can be assumed that the person made full disclosure concerning the relevant issue. However, if the person's reaction patterns to the relevant questions (Table 1 and 2, 17D) average is greater than the reaction patterns to the control questions average (Table 1 and 2, 16D), then it can be assumed that the person made did not full disclosure concerning the relevant issue.

CONCLUSION: There was 100% correlation between the Psychophysiological Voice Stress Analyzer (Table 2) and the Psychophysiological Touch Screen Stress Analyzer (Table 1) concerning the Final Analysis Control Avg. (16D) and the Final Analysis Relevant Avg. (17D) in all test subjects. This data proves, beyond a reasonable doubt, that when the subject touches the specialized computer touch screen, in response to the stimulus displayed on the touch screen, the subject's psychophysiological response was captured.

application Ser. No. 12/206,703

TABLE 1 D PTSSA A B C Final 1 Issue Response A Response B Analysis 2  1. US 16.0 16.0 8.0 3  2. CA 15.0 15.0 7.5 4  3. Sun 15.0 16.0 10.8 5  4. O/I 13.0 20.0 29.3 6  5 S/R 21.0 13.0 8.5 7  6. Control 12.0 29.0 61.3 8  7. Relevant 28.0 12.0 10.0 9  8. Control 14.0 34.0 72.1 10  9. Relevant 32.0 18.0 12.5 11 10. Control 20.0 34.0 55.6 12 11. Relevant 33.0 15.0 12.0 13 12. O/I 11.0 11.0 5.5 14 13. Sun 14.0 11.0 6.3 15 Test Avg. 19.4 19.4 25.8 16 Control Avg. 15.4 32.4 63.0 17 Relevant Avg. 31.0 15.0 11.5

TABLE 2 D PVSA A B C Final 1 Issue Response A Response B Analysis 2  1. US 61 46 70 3  2. CA 43 33 49 4  3. Sun 41 39 47 5  4. O/I 52 61 80 6  5 S/R 50 51 59 7  6. Control 48 37 55 8  7. Relevant 45 44 51 9  8. Control 53 47 61 10  9. Relevant 40 40 46 11 10. Control 36 27 41 12 11. Relevant 27 24 31 13 12. O/I 25 24 29 14 13. Sun 24 31 43 15 Test Avg. 42 39 50 16 Control Avg. 46 37 52 17 Relevant Avg. 37 36 43 

1. A method to detect emotional stress in the touch of an individual comprising: touch screen computer monitor that is sensitive to a person touch by measurement of the x, y and z factors of the touch screen computer monitor; the subject's emotional reaction patterns are detected by the amount of time the screen is touched and the amount of pressure applied.
 2. Physiologic muscle tremors occurs in every normal individual and has no clinical significance; it is rarely visible to the eye and may be heightened by strong emotion such as anxiety or fear; it can be seen in all voluntary muscle groups and can be detected by extending the arms and placing a piece of paper on top of the hands; enhanced physiologic tremor is a strengthening of physiologic tremor to more visible levels; the touch screen computer monitor and special computer algorithms measures a person's muscle tremors.
 3. The person answers each stimulus by touching the correct answer button on the touch screen computer monitor.
 4. The touch data in claim 3 is processed in a real time by a computer server or series of computer servers that contains special computer software algorithms.
 5. The algorithms in claim 4 will precisely calculate how the person emotionally reacted to each survey stimulus.
 6. The output data for each stimulus in claim 5 will be a digital number. 